I know what you’re thinking. It’s the first thing I thought when I picked up P. Djeli Clark’s heart-pounding and quick-witted new fantasy, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins: “What the heck is a dead cat tail assassin?” Thankfully, the author gives us some explanation in the opening lines. “The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats. Nor do they have tails. But they are most assuredly dead.” Maybe that doesn’t clear up all of your questions. But if you’re like me, it’s more than enough to draw you into this fun, fast thriller that’s well worth your time.
Eveen the Eviscerator is dead. Specifically, undead. Brought back from the grave with no memory of her past life, she’s the city of Tal Abisi’s deadliest contract killer. She’s efficient, professional and full of deserved swagger. Being undead brings some distinct perks, too. She’s faster, stronger and better than any mark of hers could ever be. When Eveen comes face-to-face with her latest target, a girl named Sky, she knows something is wrong: The goddess of assassins forbids killing kids. But that’s the least of Eveen’s worries. Sky’s face sparks a memory, something an undead assassin isn’t supposed to have. Who is this girl and why was Eveen contracted to kill her? It’s a race against time to find the answers because if Eveen doesn’t kill her mark in 24 hours, the rest of the Dead Cat Tail Assassins will come for her, ready to hunt one of their own.
In a genre dominated by long, epic fantasies, the under 300-page Dead Cat Tail Assassins is a breath of fresh air. From the first chapter, Clark gets right to the point, then picks up the pace and never slows down. Eveen’s desperation drives the urgency of the prose, each complementing the other. Snappy, sometimes hilarious dialogue keeps things light, and the simple, clear problems facing the lead characters work with the pacing rather than against it. However, the conspiracy that brings Eveen and Sky together is very cleverly constructed, and Clark doesn’t skimp on atmosphere, world building or any of the other goodies fantasy fans expect. He cuts out anything unnecessary in order to focus on his heroines and their journey. Eveen and Sky might be in a race against time, but you’ll wish their quest would go on forever.
